Inviting the Moon to the Farmhouse

Xia Lanyue got up from the couch and rubbed her sore shoulders and stiff neck.

Outside the window, the sun had already risen above the horizon, and the slightly dazzling light made Xia Lanyue feel like she couldn't open her eyes.

She rubbed her swollen eyes, then sighed and got up to pack her bags.

Last night, Xia Lanyue thought about it all night and decided to go to the state capital with Dai You to relax. They will leave today.

As always, Dai You went along with Xia Lanyue. He asked for leave from Doctor Zhang and then came back to pack his bags.

Xia Lanyue couldn't ride a horse, so they rented a carriage.

With some dry food and water, they set off for Gwangju.

Gwangju is not far, but the carriages travel slowly, and the journey takes three days.

Xia Lanyue thought this was fine; since it was a relaxing trip, she could stroll around and enjoy the scenery.

The weather in July is very hot and dry.

Xia Lanyue was sweating profusely after staying in the carriage for a while.

She yelled and rushed out of the car, sitting next to Dai You, "You've been to Gwangju, was it fun?"

“It’s fun. Although it can’t compare to the capital, it’s still bustling,” Dai You said, taking off his straw hat and putting it on Xia Lanyue’s head.

Xia Lanyue did not refuse and tied the rope securely to ensure that the hat would not fall off.

She opened the fan in her hand and fanned herself and Dai You.

They traveled during the day and rested at night.

As night deepened, Xia Lanyue lay in the car, looking at the firelight reflected on the roof, and couldn't help but think of Xia Yao again.

I wonder what he's doing now, and whether he thinks of me like she does.

Or perhaps, with a beautiful woman by his side, he simply didn't have time to think about her.

As she thought about it, Xia Lanyue's eyes welled up with tears again...

For the past few days, Xia Lanyue and Dai You have been traveling during the day and resting at night.

Every day when Dai You woke up, he would see Xia Lanyue's swollen eyes, but he would pretend not to see them and never ask about them.

He only cared whether Xia Lanyue was hungry or hot, and also wanted to make her happy. However, Dai You was tongue-tied, and the jokes he told made Xia Lanyue laugh awkwardly.

On the afternoon of the third day, they finally arrived in Gwangju.

"Wow, I can finally take a shower, I stink," Xia Lanyue said, sniffing herself and frowning in disgust.

Dai You grinned foolishly and pointed to the square building in front of him, "That's the most famous guesthouse over there, let's stay there."

Xia Lanyue looked in the direction Dai You pointed, towards a place called Hongyun Restaurant.

The restaurant has three floors; the first floor is for dining, and the second and third floors are for guests to stay. This inn is indeed different; it's lavishly decorated and very grand. It's much larger than the Yunji Inn in town.

Xia Lanyue suddenly felt insecure, because a place like this must be very expensive. She touched her purse and swallowed hard. "We can't afford to stay here, can we?"

“It’s okay, I have money,” Dai You said with a smile.

Xia Lanyue was taken aback. Money? Where did he get the money?

Dai You seemed to see through Xia Lanyue's thoughts, "I earned it."

Xia Lanyue frowned. Dai You had been under her watchful eye lately, and although he sometimes came back a little late, how could he possibly have time to make a fortune? "Your money..."

"Don't worry, let's go," Dai You waved to Xia Lanyue and headed towards the restaurant.

They booked two rooms on the second floor and settled in.

Xia Lanyue's room faces the street, and from there you can see the most bustling street in Gwangju.

After Xia Lanyue finished getting ready, she went to the street with Dai You.

The variety of goods on the street dazzled Xia Lanyue. She was overwhelmed by the novelties she had never seen before in the town.

The various fruits, cold drinks, fresh fruits, and snacks were brightly colored and quite attractive, making Xia Lanyue unable to move away.

"What do you want to eat? I'll buy it for you," Dai You asked from behind her.

Xia Lanyue smiled. She didn't want to eat; she just wanted to look. These past few days had been exhausting, and her internal organs felt like they were about to fall apart. She had no appetite at all.

Dai You thought she was reluctant to spend money, and seemed a little anxious, "I have money, don't worry."

"I know, I'm just not hungry. Let's eat tomorrow," Xia Lanyue quickly pressed his hand down.

“Alright then, don’t worry about spending money,” Dai You added, still not entirely at ease. “I’ve earned some money these days.”

Hearing this, Xia Lanyue recalled that Dai You had been leaving early and returning late a few days ago, probably to make money. "What kind of work do you do? It's so lucrative!"

Dai You's eyes darted away. "Don't ask me the specifics." Then, he looked directly at Xia Lanyue and said with a firm gaze, "Ayue, I will try my best to give you a good life. Although it won't be as good as what we have at home, I won't let you suffer anymore."

Xia Lanyue was taken aback, but then she understood what Dai You meant.

He hasn't given up yet.

Xia Lanyue stopped smiling, pretended not to understand, and walked forward.

Dai You didn't say anything more, he just followed behind her.

However, they hadn't gone far when they saw something that surprised her: a shop selling rice cakes.

Xia Lanyue stopped and observed the shop. Although the shop was small, the business was very good.

She couldn't understand how someone could have copied this rice cake so quickly. The method of making it shouldn't be so easy to imitate, right? Was this stall run by Jiang Di? Or Wang Xiang?

She walked up to the stall and asked, "Young man, how much is this?"

"Fifteen coins a pack," the shop assistant said, pointing to the packaged rice cakes on the counter.

"Give me a pack," Xia Lanyue said, taking out her purse. "Where did this food come from? I've never seen it here before?"

"This is something we figured out ourselves, it's unique in Gwangju, and it tastes amazing. I guarantee any girl will love it at first bite," the waiter said, handing over a bag of rice cakes. "Here, take this."

Xia Lanyue took the rice cake and handed the vendor fifteen coins. "But I've had it elsewhere. Have you ever been to Gujing Town, young man?"

"Ah Yue, let's go take a look ahead," Dai You interrupted Xia Lanyue's question, gesturing for her to leave.

Xia Lanyue didn't get any information and wasn't about to leave. She looked at the waiter but didn't move.

"Huh?" The shopkeeper was taken aback, took the money, glanced at Dai You, and said, "I've never been there."

"Do you know Jiang Di and Wang Xiang?" Xia Lanyue pressed.

The waiter shook his head, explaining as he greeted other customers, "I don't know him."

Dai You pulled Xia Lanyue out of the crowd. "Let's go. The guy is too busy to take care of us."

Xia Lanyue was a little disappointed; she hadn't gained any information.

She had originally planned that after breaking up with Xia Yao completely, she wouldn't stay in Gujing Town, that place of heartbreak, and could make a living selling rice cakes in the prefecture. But now that she had this shop, she was afraid business wouldn't be good, and she would have to find another way out.

She was a little annoyed. How could she have let others take advantage of the information gap and make money first!

Xia Lanyue was in a bad mood and didn't respond to Dai You's words. She turned around and walked away.

The faint disappointment on her face did not escape Dai You's notice.

“Ah Yue, look, there are clay figurines here,” Dai You pointed to the stall next to him, trying to get Xia Lanyue’s attention.

However, Xia Lanyue did not look in that direction. She simply said, "Let's go back. I'm tired from walking," and then turned and walked back towards the restaurant.